TVF’s Aspirants may base itself on the trials and tribulations of UPSC aspirants and the emotional challenges that three friends have to navigate in their adult lives, however, deep down, the web-series manages to capture the uncertainty of our millennial selves. There is so much to unpack here. From the uncertainty that hangs upon relationships to strained friendships, TVF’s Aspirants may have started off as a web-series about the burdens that a UPSC aspirant has to navigate during their preparations, however, now, it has evolved into something much more.
As of this moment, TVF’s Aspirants stands as a web-series about true human lives. The creative team behind the web-series, Apoorv Singh Karki and Deepesh Sumitra Jagdish, have managed to direct and write, respectively, pristine narratives around the characters of Abhilash, Guri and SK. Naveen Kasturia, Shivankit Parihar and Abhilash Thapiliyal have truly managed to capture the essence of their characters through their portrayals. Even so, Namita Dubey and Sunny Hinduja have managed to ingratiate themselves with the audience with their outstanding performances. Of course, due credit must also be given to the creators of the web-series, Arunabh Kumar, the founder of TVF and Shreyansh Pandey.
Of course, we all saw the cast and the creative team, behind TVF’s Aspirants, drop the teaser for the season finale during the ‘Covid Relief Livestream‘, that was held in association with The Talented Indian. An immensely important initiative, the entire livestream was a reminder for the need to reach out and help as much as possible in times like these.
I know we are all excited and really want some answers from the season finale. What really happened between Guri and Abhilash all those years back? Did it have something to do with Dhairya all along? And, most importantly, did Abhilash really clear the preliminary exam at the end of episode 4? In the hopes of getting you all up to speed for the finale, let’s do a brief recap of everything that has happened so far.
Episode One introduces us to the three friends that we have come to love. Abhilash, Guri and SK are long standing friends who are all preparing for the UPSC examinations. With the exams looming ahead of them, Abhilash, on his final attempt, wants to change his optional subject. The crux of the episode takes Abhilash’s indecision on choosing an optional subject and spins a larger tale on the idea of being able to stand and make decisions on your own two feet
Episode Two has Abhilash questioning himself about the qualifications of a teacher. For him, the primary concern lies in the uncertainty of whether an individual, who, himself, hasn’t managed to clear the UPSC exam, can provide him with the right guidance. The second episode also introduces us to the character of Dhairya, the primary bone of contention and the reason behind the added strain in the friendship between Abhilash and Guri in the present day.
Up until now, TVF’s Aspirants has been exploring the primary concerns that most UPSC aspirants face. In the third episode, the web-series delves into more cerebral themes, posing questions towards the qualities that are not only mandatory for bureaucrats to possess but also important in our daily lives. What really separates the wheat from the chaff? On a more romantic one, Abhilash and Dhairya are a thing now, with the both of them finding an understanding in each other. Episode three also has the three friends finally meeting again in the present day, with Guri bracing himself to finally tell Abhilash who he is actually getting married to.
The penultimate episode of the series focuses on everything coming to a head. In the present day, Abhilash and Guri, finally, open up about the things eating at them and confront each other, while SK reveals his frustration towards both of his friends, touching upon how they have always been caught up in their own angst and almost always avoided focusing on the larger friendship that exists between the three of them. Back in the past, we get a glimpse of Abhilash deciding to finally resign from his job, the one he had taken a sabbatical from to prepare for the UPSC exam. We also see the first cracks that begin to form between Abhilash and Dhairya. The episode ends on a real cliffhanger, with Abhilash clearing his preliminary exam being left ambiguous.
And the season finale episode TVF’s Aspirants is a real treat with a culmination of all the emotions. From the heartfelt message of Sandeep bhaiya to Abhilash’s realisation to his final monologue. Instead of describing it in words, let your visual senses give you an emotional treat. Cheers to a beautiful and inspiring finale!
